Somehow, Kyle Kendrick's saga sounds unfathomable. But this is no April Fools joke. Kendrick will start against the Milwaukee Brewers tonight, two months after signing a one-year deal with Colorado. Yes, this is the same right-hander the starting pitching-starved Phils decided had no future with the club.

"I am very honored," Kendrick said before his final spring start Wednesday against the Texas Rangers. "Opening Day is always special for any ballplayer. To be starting pitcher is extra special. I am excited to get the call."

Kendrick has nothing negative to say about his 12-year tenure in the Phillies' organization. Bad-mouthing is not his style. The closest the 6-foot-3, 210-pound Kendrick comes to anything negative is to predict the Rockies will have more success this season than Philadelphia, which is in line with most baseball pundits.

Is it a case of a pitcher known more in Philadelphia for his durability than success being in the right place at the right time? Colorado has a young starting staff. That's not how Rockies' pitching coach Steve Foster sees it.

"He's more than a good right-handed pitcher with a sinker and change-up," Foster said. "He's got a great work ethic and character. He fits the model of a pitcher who can have success here. I compliment [general manager] Jeff Bridich for signing him."

Kendrick came to the Rockies with a 74-68 lifetime major league record and 4.42 earned run average. Never known as a strikeout pitcher, Kendrick pitches to contact and is an innings-eater who has avoided significant injuries during a seven-season major league career. On a Phillies' staff that included at times Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels, Kendrick was first a starter, then a reliever and then a starter again. Kendrick threw 381 innings over his last two seasons as a full-time starter. He had double-digit win totals in six seasons.

"I learned in the minor leagues about following a routine that included shoulder motion and exercises," said Kendrick, selected by the Phils in the seventh round of the 2003 draft. "It's important to have a set routine. I learned certain things from guys like Jamie Moyer and Roy Halladay."

At age 30, he's now the guy dispensing advice ... that is when he is asked. He likes the looks and potential of young Rockies' hurlers like Jordan Lyles, Tyler Matzek, Eddie Butler and Jon Gray.

"I like our team for sure," said Kendrick, 3-1 with a 3.98 earned run average in 20.1 spring innings. "I was excited to sign here. We obviously can score a lot of runs. We've got defensive Gold Glovers at infield positions. I'm pretty pumped up to be here. I like our chances if we stay healthy. If I can help the younger guys, I'm good with that. My only goal here is to win."

Kendrick prefers to look ahead rather than behind, and yet he bristled when it was suggested he was no longer with the Phillies because of his salary.

"They signed Aaron Harang for the same amount of money I am getting," Kendrick said. "I'm not sure what they were thinking. Maybe it was time for both of us to go in different directions. This is a better team, I believe."

Other than that, he looks back on his time in Philadelphia with fond memories.

"I had a great manager in Charlie [Manuel] and a lot of good teammates," Kendrick said. "Philly will always be where I grew up. I met my wife there. My two children were born there. I played on a World Series-winning team. I still have friendships with a lot of the guys. I wish them the best except when they play us."

If anyone is equipped to handle the demands of pitching in the thin air of Denver, it is Kendrick.

"I pitched in a band box my whole career," Kendrick said in reference to Citizens Bank Park. "I've had success in Colorado. My goal is always the same — to pitch nine innings every time out. Of course that's unrealistic. But that's the goal."

Foster especially likes the way Kendrick goes about his business, using the same philosophy the pitching coach preaches to his hurlers.

"If you attack the strike zone, especially in even counts, you stay out of hitter's counts," Foster said. "What I've taught our young pitchers he comes equipped with. This guy has pitched in a small ballpark. It is important to have people who are good pitchers who have the mentality of how to pitch."

If all goes according to plan, Kendrick will be in line to start both at home and in Philadelphia when his new team meets his former team in May. Wouldn't it be interesting if Harang would be the Phils' starter in either or both games?